The National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) sponsors an awards program designed to recognize employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of their employees' participation in the National Guard and Reserve. All employer recognition and awards originate from nominations by individual Reserve component members. Depending on the degree of support, the level of recognition rises to the "Employer Support Freedom Award", given by the Secretary of Defense.

Other employer awards include:

• "Patriot Award" Certificate of Appreciation. ESGR awards this certificate and a Patriot lapel pin on behalf of the Department of Defense. All members of the National Guard and Reserve forces are eligible to nominate their employers for the "Patriot Award" certificate. This employer recognition is the most frequently presented. A certificate will be given to all employers that are nominated. This nomination is subsequently used by the local ESGR Committee as the basis for consideration to receive higher level awards.
• Pro Patria Award. It is presented to those employers who demonstrate exceptional support for our national defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. Each Committee may give only one PRO PATRIA annually.
• Employer Support Freedom Awards. These awards, ESGR's most prestigious, are presented annually to an employer by the Secretary of Defense. It recognizes unique support to National Guard and Reserve employees. The nation's most supportive employers receive the awards at a ceremony held annually in November.

Who Is Eligible?

Employers qualify for recognition when they practice personnel policies that support employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

How do you nominate your employer?

The easiest way to nominate your employer is to use the Patriot Award Form on this Web site. By pressing the "Submit" option at the bottom, your nomination arrives at National ESGR Headquarters within moments. If you wish, you can print a copy of the nomination for record.

Copies of the nomination form can also be obtained from your local ESGR Committee or the National ESGR Headquarters by using our toll-free number, (800) 336-4590.

Look for applications in the publications you receive from military professional associations. The military associations are fully aware of the vital importance of employer and community support for the National Guard and Reserve. They periodically print ESGR Award applications to encourage participation in the ESGR Awards program by their members.

However you make your nomination, remember that it makes your employer eligible for the higher level awards. A little extra effort to provide details will help us to recognize and properly award the most outstanding employers.

What should you do if your employer's certificate doesn't arrive on time? Occasionally, a nomination gets "lost" in the process. If your employer's certificate doesn't arrive after 14 days, please contact our fulfillment center Exhibit Arts LLC at (888) 651-0389 between 7AM-7PM CST Mon-Fri. Ask for the ESGR Awards Staff and they will be happy to check on the status for you.

THE PATRIOT AWARD
Nominate your employer for the “Patriot Award". The first step in having your employer considered for recognition as an outstanding employer is to submit a Patriot Award nomination

Do it online. For both speed of processing and accuracy in the nomination process, nominate your employers online by filling out our nomination form. Nominations may also be sent to ESGR by mail using the attached nomination form.

What happens next. Every employer nominated will receive a Patriot Award certificate and accompanying lapel pin. Your state or local ESGR Committee can help you arrange the presentation of the award to your employer.

Tell us why your employer is great. When completing the employer recognition form, take a few moments to explain why your employer deserves to be recognized. Your local ESGR committee will review your explanation when selecting nominees for higher-level employer support awards. (see sample criteria on page 2)

It may lead to bigger things. ESGR reviews all award nominations far consideration for higher levels of recognition at the Local, National, and State levels.

STATE & NATIONAL EMPLOYER AWARDS
The "Above and Beyond Award" is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR committees. It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees.

The "Pro Patria Award" is presented annually by each ESGR Committee to the one employer in their state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

The "Freedom Award" is ESGR's most prestigious level of national recognition. The Freedom Award is presented annually by the Secretary of Defense to the nation's most supportive employers. The Secretary recognizes up to five employers annually with this award at ceremonies held at the Pentagon in Washington DC.